using IronBarCode; using System.Drawing; // Creating a barcode is as simple as: var myBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8); // And save our barcode as in image: myBarcode.SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg"); Image myBarcodeImage = myBarcode.Image; // Can be used as Image Bitmap myBarcodeBitmap = myBarcode.ToBitmap(); // Can be used as Bitmap // Reading a barcode is easy with IronBarcode: var resultFromFile = BarcodeReader.Read(@"file/barcode.png"); // From a file var resultFromBitMap = BarcodeReader.Read(new Bitmap("barcode.bmp")); // From a bitmap var resultFromImage = BarcodeReader.Read(Image.FromFile("barcode.jpg")); // From an image var resultFromPdf = BarcodeReader.ReadPdf(@"file/mydocument.pdf"); // From PDF use ReadPdf // After creating a barcode, we may choose to resize and save which is easily done with: var myNewBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8); myNewBarcode.ResizeTo(400, 100); myNewBarcode.SaveAsImage("myBarcodeResized.jpeg"); // To set more options and optimization with your Barcode Reading, // Please utilize the BarcodeReaderOptions paramter of read: var myOptionsExample = new BarcodeReaderOptions { // Choose a speed from: Faster, Balanced, Detailed, ExtremeDetail // There is a tradeoff in performance as more Detail is set Speed = ReadingSpeed.Balanced, // Reader will stop scanning once a barcode is found, unless set to true ExpectMultipleBarcodes = true, // By default, all barcode formats are scanned for. // Specifying one or more, performance will increase. ExpectBarcodeTypes = BarcodeEncoding.AllOneDimensional, // Utilizes multiple threads to reads barcodes from multiple images in parallel. Multithreaded = true, // Maximum threads for parallel. Default is 4 MaxParallelThreads = 2, // The area of each image frame in which to scan for barcodes. // Will improve performance significantly and avoid unwanted results and avoid noisy parts of the image. CropArea = new Rectangle(), // Special Setting for Code39 Barcodes. // If a Code39 barcode is detected. Try to use extended mode for the full ASCII Character Set UseCode39ExtendedMode = true }; // And, apply: var results = BarcodeReader.Read("barcode.png", myOptionsExample);

using IronBarCode; using System.Drawing; /*** CREATING BARCODE IMAGES ***/ // Shorthand:: Create and save a barcode in a single line of code BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8).ResizeTo(400, 100).SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg"); /***** IN-DEPTH BARCODE CREATION OPTIONS *****/ // BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode creates a GeneratedBarcode which can be styles and exported as an Image object or File GeneratedBarcode MyBarCode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("Any Number, String or Binary Value", BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128); // Style the Barcode in a fluent LINQ style fashion MyBarCode.ResizeTo(300, 150).SetMargins(20).AddAnnotationTextAboveBarcode("Example EAN8 Barcode").AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode(); MyBarCode.ChangeBackgroundColor(Color.LightGoldenrodYellow); // Save MyBarCode as an image file MyBarCode.SaveAsImage("MyBarCode.png"); MyBarCode.SaveAsGif("MyBarCode.gif"); MyBarCode.SaveAsHtmlFile("MyBarCode.html"); MyBarCode.SaveAsJpeg("MyBarCode.jpg"); MyBarCode.SaveAsPdf("MyBarCode.Pdf"); MyBarCode.SaveAsPng("MyBarCode.png"); MyBarCode.SaveAsTiff("MyBarCode.tiff"); MyBarCode.SaveAsWindowsBitmap("MyBarCode.bmp"); // Save MyBarCode as a .NET native objects Image MyBarCodeImage = MyBarCode.Image; Bitmap MyBarCodeBitmap = MyBarCode.ToBitmap(); byte[] PngBytes = MyBarCode.ToPngBinaryData(); using (System.IO.Stream PdfStream = MyBarCode.ToPdfStream()) { // Stream barcode image output also works for GIF,JPEG, PDF, PNG, BMP and TIFF } // Save MyBarCode as HTML files and tags MyBarCode.SaveAsHtmlFile("MyBarCode.Html"); string ImgTagForHTML = MyBarCode.ToHtmlTag(); string DataURL = MyBarCode.ToDataUrl(); // Save MyBarCode to a new PDF, or stamp it in any position on any page(s) of an existing Document MyBarCode.SaveAsPdf("MyBarCode.Pdf"); MyBarCode.StampToExistingPdfPage("ExistingPDF.pdf", 200, 50, 1); // position 200x50 on page 1 MyBarCode.StampToExistingPdfPages("ExistingPDF.pdf", 200, 50, new[] { 1, 2, 3 }, "Password123"); // multiple pages of an encrypted PDF

using IronBarCode; using System; using System.Drawing; /*** STYING GENERATED BARCODES ***/ // BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode creates a GeneratedBarcode object which allows the barcode to be styled and annotated. GeneratedBarcode MyBarCode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("Iron Software", BarcodeWriterEncoding.QRCode); // Any text (or commonly, the value of the barcode) can be added to the image in a default or specified font. // Text positions are automatically centered, above or below. Fonts that are too large for a given image are automatically scaled down. MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode(); MyBarCode.AddAnnotationTextAboveBarcode("This is My Barcode", new Font(new FontFamily("Arial"), 12, FontStyle.Regular, GraphicsUnit.Pixel), Color.DarkSlateBlue); // Resize, add Margins and Check final Image Dimensions MyBarCode.ResizeTo(300, 300); // pixels MyBarCode.SetMargins(0, 20, 0, 20); int FinalWidth = MyBarCode.Width; int FinalHeight = MyBarCode.Height; //Recolor the barcode and its background MyBarCode.ChangeBackgroundColor(Color.LightGray); MyBarCode.ChangeBarCodeColor(Color.DarkSlateBlue); if (!MyBarCode.Verify()) { Console.WriteLine("Color contrast should be at least 50% or a barcode may become unreadable. Test using GeneratedBarcode.Verify()"); } // Finally save the result MyBarCode.SaveAsHtmlFile("StyledBarcode.html"); /*** STYING BARCODES IN A SINGLE LINQ STYLE EXPRESSION ***/ // Fluent API BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("https://ironsoftware.com", BarcodeWriterEncoding.Aztec).ResizeTo(250, 250).SetMargins(10).AddBarcodeValueTextAboveBarcode().SaveAsImage("StyledBarcode.png"); /*** STYING QR CODES WITH LOGO IMAGES OR BRANDING ***/ // Use the QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCodeWithLogo Method instead of BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode // Logo will automatically be sized appropriately and snapped to the QR grid. var qrCodeLogo = new QRCodeLogo("ironsoftware_logo.png"); GeneratedBarcode myQRCodeWithLogo = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCodeWithLogo("https://ironsoftware.com/", qrCodeLogo); myQRCodeWithLogo.ResizeTo(500, 500).SetMargins(10).ChangeBarCodeColor(Color.DarkGreen); myQRCodeWithLogo.ResizeTo(500, 500).SetMargins(10).ChangeBarCodeColor(Color.DarkGreen); myQRCodeWithLogo.SaveAsPng("QRWithLogo.Png").SaveAsPdf("MyVerifiedQR.html"); // save as 2 formats

Published May 5, 2022

How to Use Barcode Scanners in C# Windows Application

In this tutorial, we will look at how to scan QR codes and barcodes in C# console applications and .NET Windows Forms Application, with an example using the Iron Barcode library.

We will see how easy it is to scan and read barcodes. Using the IronBarcode library we can read multiple barcodes at once, and also scan imperfect images successfully. Let's first clarify what a barcode scanner is.

What is a Barcode Scanner?

A barcode is a square or rectangular image consisting of a series of parallel black lines and white spaces of varying widths. A barcode scanner or barcode reader is a device that can read printed barcodes, decode the data contained in the barcode and send the data to a computer.

Here we are going to make our own barcode scanner with the help of the Iron Barcode Library.

How to Read Barcodes in C#

Create a .NET Windows Forms Application project in Microsoft Visual Studio
Install the barcode library
Read any barcode or QR code
Read multiple barcodes or QRs in a single scan
Allow Iron Barcode to read from imperfect scans and photos

1. Create a Windows Forms Application in Microsoft Visual Studio

Open Visual Studio = > Click on Create New Project = > Select Windows Forms Application Template = > Press Next => Name the Project => Press Next => Select your target .NET Framework => Click on the Create Button.

After creating the project, design the form as follows from the Visual Studio toolbox: PictureBox, Label, Textbox, and Button controls.

2. Install the BarCode .NET Library in C

Before we begin, we need to install the Barcode Library. You can install it by using one of the following three methods:

1. Package Manager Console

Write the following command in the Package Manager console. It will download and install the package for you.

PM > Install-Package BarCode

2. NuGet Packages Manager Solution

You can also install the Barcode Library by using the NuGet Package Solution. Simply follow these steps:

Click on Tools => NuGet Package Manager => Manage NuGet package Solution.

This will open NuGet Package Manager for you. Click on Browse and search for Barcode, then install the class library.

3. Download from the Link

As an alternative, the IronBarCode.Dll can be downloaded and added to your project as a reference from [.NET Barcode DLL].

After downloading, add the following references to your barcode reader project.

using IronBarCode;

using IronBarCode;

Imports IronBarCode

VB C#

3. Read any Barcode or QR Code

Reading a barcode or QR code in .NET is incredibly easy using the Iron Barcode class library with .NET Barcode Reader.

Barcode Scanner

In your project browse for the image, you wish to read. It will open it in PictureBox; now click on "scan code". The text will appear in the text box.

Here is the code for the "browse" button to open an image:

// open file dialog   
OpenFileDialog open = new OpenFileDialog();  
// image filters  
open.Filter = "Image Files(*.jpg; *.png; *.jpeg; *.gif; *.bmp)|*.jpg; *.png; *.jpeg; *.gif; *.bmp";
if (open.ShowDialog() == DialogResult.OK) {  
// display image in picture box
    pictureBox1.Image = new Bitmap(open.FileName); 
// store image file path in class data member. Initialize it as string ImageFileName;
    ImageFileName = open.FileName; 
}

// open file dialog   
OpenFileDialog open = new OpenFileDialog();  
// image filters  
open.Filter = "Image Files(*.jpg; *.png; *.jpeg; *.gif; *.bmp)|*.jpg; *.png; *.jpeg; *.gif; *.bmp";
if (open.ShowDialog() == DialogResult.OK) {  
// display image in picture box
    pictureBox1.Image = new Bitmap(open.FileName); 
// store image file path in class data member. Initialize it as string ImageFileName;
    ImageFileName = open.FileName; 
}

' open file dialog   
OpenFileDialog open = new OpenFileDialog()

' image filters  
open.Filter = "Image Files(*.jpg; *.png; *.jpeg; *.gif; *.bmp)|*.jpg; *.png; *.jpeg; *.gif; *.bmp"
if (open.ShowDialog() = DialogResult.OK)
If True Then
	
' display image in picture box
	pictureBox1.Image = new Bitmap(open.FileName)
	
' store image file path in class data member. Initialize it as string ImageFileName;
	ImageFileName = open.FileName
	
End If

VB C#

The code for the "scan code" button:

BarcodeResult Result=BarcodeReader.QuicklyReadOneBarcode(ImageFileName);
textBox1.Text = Result.Text;

BarcodeResult Result=BarcodeReader.QuicklyReadOneBarcode(ImageFileName);
textBox1.Text = Result.Text;

Dim Result As BarcodeResult=BarcodeReader.QuicklyReadOneBarcode(ImageFileName)
textBox1.Text = Result.Text

VB C#

Our barcode scanner displays the barcode data in the text box as follows:

QR Code Scanner

Here we will scan a skewed QR code to check the complexity level of the library. Although the skewed angle QR code can be handled and read by the QuicklyReadOneBarcode method, it can nevertheless take more time to resolve. The Iron Barcode library provides a different method to deal with such image input. The code goes as follows:

BarcodeResult Result = IronBarCode.BarcodeReader.ReadASingleBarcode(ImageFileName, BarcodeEncoding.QRCode | BarcodeEncoding.Code128, BarcodeReader.BarcodeRotationCorrection.High, BarcodeReader.BarcodeImageCorrection.MediumCleanPixels);textBox1.Text = Result.Text;

BarcodeResult Result = IronBarCode.BarcodeReader.ReadASingleBarcode(ImageFileName, BarcodeEncoding.QRCode | BarcodeEncoding.Code128, BarcodeReader.BarcodeRotationCorrection.High, BarcodeReader.BarcodeImageCorrection.MediumCleanPixels);textBox1.Text = Result.Text;

Dim Result As BarcodeResult = IronBarCode.BarcodeReader.ReadASingleBarcode(ImageFileName, BarcodeEncoding.QRCode Or BarcodeEncoding.Code128, BarcodeReader.BarcodeRotationCorrection.High, BarcodeReader.BarcodeImageCorrection.MediumCleanPixels)
textBox1.Text = Result.Text

VB C#

The output will be as follows after opening the skewed QR code image:

Reading Multiple Barcodes in a Single Scan

PDF Documents

Here we are going to discuss only PDF documents. Barcode images can be scanned from a PDF file and each result can be displayed appropriately as desired. The following sample code allows you to read multiple barcodes from a PDF file.

// Multiple barcodes may be scanned up from a single document or image.  A PDF document may also used as the input 
imagePagedBarcodeResult[] PDFResults = BarcodeReader.ReadBarcodesFromPdf("MultipleBarcodes.pdf");
// Work with the results
foreach (var PageResult in PDFResults){    
    string Value = PageResult.Value;    
    int PageNum = PageResult.PageNumber;    
    System.Drawing.Bitmap Img = PageResult.BarcodeImage;
    BarcodeEncoding BarcodeType = PageResult.BarcodeType;
    byte[] Binary = PageResult.BinaryValue;
    Console.WriteLine(PageResult.Value+" on page "+ PageNum);
}

// Multiple barcodes may be scanned up from a single document or image.  A PDF document may also used as the input 
imagePagedBarcodeResult[] PDFResults = BarcodeReader.ReadBarcodesFromPdf("MultipleBarcodes.pdf");
// Work with the results
foreach (var PageResult in PDFResults){    
    string Value = PageResult.Value;    
    int PageNum = PageResult.PageNumber;    
    System.Drawing.Bitmap Img = PageResult.BarcodeImage;
    BarcodeEncoding BarcodeType = PageResult.BarcodeType;
    byte[] Binary = PageResult.BinaryValue;
    Console.WriteLine(PageResult.Value+" on page "+ PageNum);
}

' Multiple barcodes may be scanned up from a single document or image.  A PDF document may also used as the input 
Dim PDFResults() As imagePagedBarcodeResult = BarcodeReader.ReadBarcodesFromPdf("MultipleBarcodes.pdf")
' Work with the results
For Each PageResult In PDFResults
	Dim Value As String = PageResult.Value
	Dim PageNum As Integer = PageResult.PageNumber
	Dim Img As System.Drawing.Bitmap = PageResult.BarcodeImage
	Dim BarcodeType As BarcodeEncoding = PageResult.BarcodeType
	Dim Binary() As Byte = PageResult.BinaryValue
	Console.WriteLine(PageResult.Value & " on page " & PageNum)
Next PageResult

VB C#

Barcode and QR code present in PDF files:

Reading Barcodes from Imperfect Images

In real-world-use cases, we may wish to read barcodes that are not perfect screenshots. They may be imperfect images, scans, thumbnails, or photographs and contain digital noise or be skewed. Here in our barcode reader, we will look at the example of reading the barcode data from thumbnails.

Thumbnails

Our barcode scanner made using C# Barcode Generator is even capable of reading a corrupted thumbnail of a barcode.

It automatically detects barcode images that are too small to reasonably represent an actual barcode, and then upscales and cleans all of the digital noise associated with thumbnailing, thereby allowing them to be readable again.

// Small or 'Thumbnail' barcode images are automatically detected by IronBarCode and corrected for wherever possible even if they have much digital noise.
BarcodeResult SmallResult = BarcodeReader.QuicklyReadOneBarcode("ThumbnailOfBarcode.gif", BarcodeEncoding.Code128);

// Small or 'Thumbnail' barcode images are automatically detected by IronBarCode and corrected for wherever possible even if they have much digital noise.
BarcodeResult SmallResult = BarcodeReader.QuicklyReadOneBarcode("ThumbnailOfBarcode.gif", BarcodeEncoding.Code128);

' Small or 'Thumbnail' barcode images are automatically detected by IronBarCode and corrected for wherever possible even if they have much digital noise.
Dim SmallResult As BarcodeResult = BarcodeReader.QuicklyReadOneBarcode("ThumbnailOfBarcode.gif", BarcodeEncoding.Code128)

VB C#

Summary

Iron Barcode is a versatile .NET software library and C# QR Code Generator for scanning and reading a wide range of barcode image formats, and it can do so whether or not these barcodes are perfect screen grabs or are in fact photographs, scans, or other imperfect real-world images. For more information about Iron Barcode, please visit this link.

Currently, if you buy the complete Iron Suite, you can get five libraries for the price of just two. For more details, please click here.

Examples

How to Use Barcode Scanners in C# Windows Application

What is a Barcode Scanner?

How to Read Barcodes in C#

1. Create a Windows Forms Application in Microsoft Visual Studio

2. Install the BarCode .NET Library in C

1. Package Manager Console

2. NuGet Packages Manager Solution

3. Download from the Link

3. Read any Barcode or QR Code

Barcode Scanner

QR Code Scanner

Reading Multiple Barcodes in a Single Scan

PDF Documents

Reading Barcodes from Imperfect Images

Thumbnails

Summary

IronBarcode Blog

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